Acts of Charity: Beyond the Material
By Angela
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. Today, I want to talk about a topic that is close to my heart. As followers of Christ, we are called to show love and compassion to those around us. Charity is not just about giving; it is about sharing our blessings and making a difference in the lives of others.
In our journey of faith, we often hear about the five Acts of Charity: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, and visiting the sick. These acts serve as a guide for how we can live out our faith in everyday life. However, I have learned that charity is bigger than physical handouts. It is about showing care in a way that fits the situation, often through the "seeds" of time and knowledge.
The Spiritual Discipline of Financial Obedience
One of the most meaningful acts I’ve experienced was helping my sister and her husband regain control of their financial future. While the initial task of creating a budget took only a few hours, the real challenge unfolded over a year of commitment to a new lifestyle.
My sister had a very specific way of describing their situation. In the early days, when the pressure of the bills felt overwhelming, she would say, "The noose is not loose yet." Hearing her use that terminology always made me smile, but deep down, it hit a chord of shared pain. Having navigated my own journey through debt in the past, I understood exactly what that "noose" felt like—the tightening restriction on your peace and your future.
To find relief, they had to practice Obedience to the plans we set in place. True spiritual growth often requires us to submit our immediate desires to a higher plan of discipline. Eventually, as the months of steady Perseverance passed, her tone changed. I remember the joy in her voice when she could finally say, "The noose is loose." By practicing this daily obedience, they weren't just saving money—they were loosening the grip of the world to make room for the freedom of the spirit.
"Every sacrifice made in the name of discipline is a seed planted in the soil of trust, waiting for the moment it can finally bloom into a life of lasting spiritual peace."
Detachment and the Art of Meaningful Living
To truly find lasting freedom, we had to address the heart of the matter: Detachment from worldly things. My sister has always had a God-given talent for home design—her house is the definition of homey, filled with warm, country-style touches. For years, this was her primary enjoyment, but the "noose" of debt often came from buying for the sake of buying.
Through this year of transformation, I watched a beautiful shift occur. She didn't lose her love for decorating; she simply refined it. She began to practice a radical spiritual detachment from the "need" to consume. Today, her house is still warm and beautifully designed, but every item is displayed with deep meaning. She now shops with intention—buying only for a true need or for something that holds spiritual or family significance. It is a joy to see how they downsized their reliance on worldly things to make room for what truly matters.
A Guidance Beyond My Own
Looking back, I realize that I did not go looking for this task; it found me. When they asked for my help, I felt a deep drive from the Holy Spirit to guide them. Despite the complexity of the numbers, I never felt that the achievements were coming from me.
Every weekend, I prayed my Rosary, specifically asking for direction. The answers often came in the quiet moments when I wasn't even in their presence. I would suddenly be struck with a specific direction to build a spreadsheet or a method to pay down debt in a way that I knew my sister could handle. I was confident in these methods because I knew they were given to me specifically for her. Even when they offered me thanks, I felt like a passenger watching another Power handle the steering wheel. It was all Him, from the first spreadsheet to the final moment of freedom.
